Principal's Message
Kia Ora Koutou
Manaakitanga is about how you care for each other, the well-being of your community, engaging with one another and maintaining strong relationships. It loosely translates to the concept of hospitality. In Māori society, looking after visitors and treating others well is of great importance.
Manaakitanga is also about acknowledging mana (one’s prestige and spiritual power) and showing aroha to other people, making this one of the most important concepts in Māori culture.
Manaakitanga was a big deal in my home when I was a child; it still is in my home as an adult. When you visit my whare it is important to me that you feel welcome and that you know that I care about you being my visitor.
Last weekend we hosted Pentangular ( Formerly Quad) and as a school the Manaakitanga we expressed created a unity for all who spent the two days here. At this juncture I want to acknowledge the Friends of St Matthew’s whose Hospitality tent (hereto forward called Manaakitanga Teneti) set the theme for the fixture. It smacked of the positivity of the 1974 Commonwealth games which were nicknamed the ‘Friendly Games’. Steve Allen performed his name famously infamous song ‘Join Together’ which even today speaks to our mission to Transform, speaks to our mission to be Inclusive, speaks to our Special Character, and speaks to what Sport has the capacity to achieve.
Left but Never Forgotten
It is always great to hear about the news of our old girls so here are some things to share.
Anna Bebbington (Head of Academia 2020) graduated in May from Victoria with a double major in International Relations and Politics. Currently she is a Residential Assistant at Boulcott Hall while studying for a Masters’ Degree in Political Science which she hopes to complete in February next year. Anna was granted an internship at parliament this year and works for one of the MPs. She really enjoys this and hopes to find a job as a policy writer either at parliament or with the NZ Defence Force.
Anna’s been missing singing but has just auditioned for Pip, a new musical based on the story of Great Expectations which will be staged in Wellington at the end of the year. Life seems to be good for her and Mum says that she knows the education she got at St. Matts has helped her to achieve where she is today!
Cassandra Dawson (Head Girl 2018) has recently been offered a full Commonwealth Scholarship to attend Cambridge University in England, where she will complete her PhD over the next three years. She is finalising the details but aims to start Oct 24.
Her research will focus on addressing mental health challenges among children and young people, particularly those linked to poverty, which we know is a critical issue on global, national, and local levels.
STAND
Just keeping you in the loop- our stand against bullying programme ‘STAND’ is being rolled out to students next week. Its success is reliant on all of us.
Have a safe weekend.
Ngā Mihi
Kiri
Around School
Boarding Note
With such busy schedules it is not easy finding time for inter-dorm competitions in Hampton House. However earlier this week we continued with our Hampton Olympics and the Year 12 and 13 boarders enjoyed golf, darts, target shooting and speed walking events.
Many thanks to Mrs Gemma Begg who has been working in boarding this week while we have had some staff away. While she has been in Mrs Begg has been encouraging boarders to make vision boards for their bedrooms. This proved to be a very popular activity for both our juniors and the seniors. From the photos below it is great to see the girls unwind from a busy school day and simply enjoy spending time together.
Jo
SENCO
In my role as SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) it is my privilege to look at the whole gamut of learning need, which captures gifted to remedial and everything in between.
Right now I have opportunities available for you to consider: Is your daughter looking for a challenge? Is she always asking questions and wondering why? Does she want to spend time with a master carver? Would spending time with a highly skilled musician or writer inspire your daughter? Does she have a creative project in mind or a hypothesis she wants to test? What would extend her exceptional sporting ability? Does she have an issue to explore with your curious mind?
If this sounds like your daughter, then click on the following link for more information about awards for gifted learners https://gifted.tki.org.nz/further-support/awards/ Applications open on the 1st of September.
Rachel McKay
Matharapa
We took 16 teams down to Waicol to compete in Matharapa with 3 rounds of tricky Maths questions.
The teams worked incredibly well, they showed integrity, respect and inclusivity working as a team to problem solve some really hard puzzles. One of our year 9 teams placed 3rd overall. One of our Year 8 and Year 10 teams also placed first in one of the rounds.
Congratulations to all girls who participated! You should all be extremely proud of yourselves.
Batten House Chapel
What a wonderful parent turnout we had for our recent Batten House Chapel! Many families braved the cold to come together to bask in the warmth of each other’s company. Led by Isla, Batten House did a superb job. Many thanks to the St Matthew’s Anglican Church for providing a yummy supper. Next and finally for the year we will have the Cooper House Chapel on Sunday 25th August.
Senior College
The annual on-site Bar Tending course was held in the Senior College Center on Thursday 15th and Friday 16th August. This course had both theory and practical parts, which included understand the process of asking for and checking Id’s, applying safe practices to alcohol and intoxication, learning about how to maintain responsible drinking and service in hospitality, identifying and fulfilling customer needs, and learning skills involving blending and shaking. Students enjoyed the teamwork as they role played both customers and as servers. The practical side was obviously completed with non alcoholic options.
Thank you once again to our amazing provider, The Learning Place and Adam Jones, who delivered a fun filled learning experience.
Below are some Year 12 chemistry girls from Mrs Andrews class modelling equilibrium reactions.
Red Cross Refugee Support
Each year the Masterton Red Cross Society find homes for a significant number of refugee families and they need support. As part of our focus on service, this year St Matthew’s Collegiate School is partnering with them to provide a fully equipped house to a refugee family. Across the next five weeks of this school term we will be running weekly drives where you can donate items. These items need to be either new or if used, in immaculate condition. Please keep an eye out in the newsletter for ways in which you can support each week. We will be kicking things off with a toy drive next week – Week 5. Thank you for your support.
Sports News & Results
St Matthew’s Collegiate Shooting team
The St Matthew’s Collegiate Shooting team started the year with a great mix of new girls and returning girls. We started with a strong crew of 20 and for most weeks we have had 18 girls turn up to compete. From what was some pretty mixed skills and results at the start of the season we are now seeing some great results at seasons mid point. Almost entirely due to great coaching and support from the Masterton Small bore rifle club but in no small part a great attitude across the board from the girls.
Audrey Hall has been leading the way throughout the year with some consistently good results and Charlotte Macauley, as a first time shooter has shown great promise. This week Charlotte Macauley shot the seasons best score so far and is now joining Audrey, Charlotte Kirk and Maddy McKenzie as our schools top shots. That said the scores and averages are really tight and I am looking forward to see who performs in the second half of the year.
Thank you for supporting the girls, they are doing really well and are representing themselves and the school exceptionally. Eight more weeks to go, can’t wait. The attached photo is of most of the girls taken by one of the team members.
Matt Boggs - Manager
Scot’s College Fixture
On Tuesday 6th August St Matthew’s Collegiate 1st XI Football, Snr A Netball and 2nd Xl Hockey teams attended the first Scot’s College Winter Fixture.
Congratulations to the 2nd Xl Hockey team for winning their game. 1st Xl Football and Snr A Netball were defeated but played hard and in great spirit.
Many thanks to all those involved.
Rippa Rugby
On Wednesday this week the Primary Girls Rippa Rugby Tournament was held at Memorial Park, Masterton.
St Matthew’s Collegiate had two teams entered – SMS Gold and SMS Green.
Both teams played outstanding only losing one game each and all students thoroughly enjoyed the day in the sun.
We would like to congratulate the teams as great sportsmanship was shown by all.
Pentangular Tournament
St Matthew's were the hosts of this year's Pentangular Tournament (formally Quad) on Sunday and Monday. We had five schools participating across three codes - St Matthews, Samuel Marsden, Iona, Woodford House and Nga Tawa, playing football, hockey and netball.
This was a very successful tournament with very competitive sport being played in great Wairarapa weather. A huge thanks to Rachel Shearing and her team for putting on such a successful well run event and well done to all those that participated, coached and managed.
1st Xl Hockey team three-peat
Congratulations to the St Matthew’s Collegiate 1st Xl Hockey team who secured the win last night over Wairarapa College 1st Xl in the final of the Hockey Manawatu Intercity 1 Girls Championship Grade.
This is the third victory out of the past four years finals, which is an incredible achievement.
In addition to the incredible result in the final the team have had a great season to date, only being beaten in the Intercity competition once and coming first equal with Iona in the Senior Pentangular Tournament.
We wish to congratulate the players, coaches, management and support crew on such a fantastic 2024 season.
Sports Results
Netball
- Senior A 25-19 win vs CNC Panthers
- Senior B 8-29 loss vs Waicol Jnr A
- Senior Stars 10-31 loss vs SMS Jnr B
- SMS 13s loss by default
- Junior A 27-17 win vs Greytown Holmes Construction
- Junior B 31-10 win vs SMS Snr Stars
- Junior Gold 16-9 win vs SMS Jnr Silver
- Junior Silver 9-16 loss vs SMS Jnr Gold
- Junior Black 14-13 win vs Solway College Jnr Green
- Junior Green 16-18 loss vs Waicol Jnr Yellow
- Primary A 13-5 win vs MIS Diamonds
- Primary Ferns 13-2 win vs Gladstone All Stars
- Primary Kowhai 7-8 loss vs MIS Whetu
Football
- 1st XI 1-1 draw, lost on penalties vs Sacred Heart (semi final)
- 2nd XI 1-0 loss to WaiCol Development
- Yr 12 Ballers 9-0 loss to Solway 1st XI
- 3rd Xl 3-0 win vs Makoura Girls
- Primary Ferns 2-1 win vs MIS
Hockey
- 1st XI 1-0 win vs Waicol. CHAMPS!
- 2nd XI 1-2 loss vs Solway College 1st XI
- Green 3-1 win vs Kuranui/Chanel
- Gold no game
- Primary 7s cancelled due to rain
- Primary 8s cancelled due to rain
Sports Sheet
School App
If you are new to St Matthew's Collegiate, or have yet to download, please follow the link to install our school app https://schoolappsnz.co.nz/install
For current families, please update your subscription groups by clicking on the cog in the top right hand of the screen. It will take you to the groups for you to change.
Key Dates
- Sunday 25th August - Cooper House Chapel
- Saturday 31st August - Exeat
- Sunday 1st September - Exeat
- Thursday 26th September - House Music
- Monday 14th - Friday 18th October - Y11 Derived Grade Exams
- Monday 28th October - Labour Day stat
- Thursday 31st October - Last Day for Y11-13
- Thursday 31st October - Senior College Prizegiving
- Tuesday 5th November - NZQA Exams begin
- Saturday 7th December - Prizegiving
2024 Term Dates
- Term One - Monday 29th January to Friday 12 April
- Term Two - Monday 29th April to Friday 5th July
- Term Three - Monday 22nd July to Friday 27th September
- Term Four - Monday 14th October to Saturday 7th December